Attention returns to Meydan on Thursday as racing fans get ready for UAE 2000 Guineas day at the Dubai Carnival, writes Nick Wilby.

With the Mike De Kock team firing on all cylinders ahead of Dubai World Cup night on March 27th he will look for more glory in the 2000 Guineas with his highly-regarded South African raider Musir.  After accounting for a decent field under a Grade 1 penalty on his UAE debut, the former Champion juvenile will start a short-priced favourite for Thursday’s feature and at current odds of evens with Paddy Power he hardly stands out as a value bet.

Instead, the value on the card lies elsewhere and it comes in the shape of CROWDED HOUSE (7/2, Paddy Power) in the Group 3 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2.

Last seen finishing runner-up in the Group Three Rashidiya, Crowded House arguably caught the eye more than the winner and while Alexandros never looked like losing the race, Brian Meehan’s star was hugely impressive in defeat.  I had been eagerly waiting to see the return of the 2008 Racing Post Trophy winner and was far from disappointed that he could only finish second on his UAE debut.  Held up at the back of the field over a distance that was a furlong or two shorter than ideal, Crowded House plugged on up the straight under the hands of Jamie Spencer and was finishing like a train when they crossed the line at Meydan.

That was his first racecourse appearance for almost a year and he will now strip much fitter for the outing.  He returns on Thursday and punters can be safe in the knowledge that he retains all his Group 1-winning ability. 

Connections were left thrilled by the run and Brian Meehan cannot be blamed for casting an eye on the world’s richest race.  He tackles the tapeta surface for the first time on Thursday and with a switch back to synthetics unlikely to be of any hindrance (he has already won on Polytrack) it baffles me that antepost punters are still being offered 33/1 (Coral) about the Epsom Derby sixth winning this year’s Dubai World Cup.  If he takes to the new surface as well as can be expected then that price could look alarmingly big and his team are in bullish mood ahead of his UAE reappearance. 

In the hope that they go a strong enough gallop, Crowded House looks a solid bet at 7/2 but he faces formidable opposition in the shape of Royal Ascot winner Perfect Stride (12/1, Ladbrokes).  Sir Michael Stoute’s star has been reportedly blazing the gallops and his upward curve of improvement is likely to continue in the UAE.  Snaafy is the current 9/4 (SkyBet) favourite for the race and $9.7million yearling Jalil (10/1, Betfred) also returns for Godolphin and Dubai Carnival legend Frankie Dettori.

Nick Wilby’s advice:

Back Crowded House at 7/2 (Paddy Power) to win the  6.05 Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2.
Back Crowded House each-way at 33/1 (Coral) to win the 2010 Dubai World Cup.